The Vermont Jazz Center (VJC) is gearing up for a standout weekend of jazz, inspiration, and youth empowerment as it presents the 8th Annual Emerging Artist Festival (EAF), taking place on November 7–8, 2025. At the heart of this multi-day, multi-location celebration is three-time Grammy Award-winning drummer and educator Ulysses Owens Jr., who will be joined by his Generation Y Ensemble—a hand-picked group of rising jazz stars making waves on the international scene.
Owens and his group will headline a ticketed concert on Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 PM at the Jazz Center’s performance space. But the weekend is much more than just one performance: it’s a festival of learning, connection, and celebration that puts young and emerging artists center stage across Brattleboro.
A Weekend of Jazz, Learning, and Community
The Emerging Artist Festival is one of the VJC’s signature annual events, created to spotlight the next generation of jazz talent while actively involving local student musicians. Friday and Saturday daytime events—including performances and a public clinic with Owens—are free and open to the public, with donations encouraged.
This year’s festival kicks off with Gallery Walk performances on Friday, November 7, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at 118 Elliot, featuring a lineup of student ensembles from regional high schools and colleges:
🕔 5:00 PM – Vermont Academy Trio
🕠 5:30 PM – Emily Margaret Ensemble
🕕 6:10 PM – Amherst College Ensemble: Agra
🕖 6:50 PM – Northfield Mt. Hermon Quintet
🕗 7:30 PM – PVPA Jazz, Pop + R&B Ensemble
On Saturday, November 8, the day continues with student showcases from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Vermont Jazz Center. Groups from BUHS, UMass Amherst, Northfield, and The Putney School (tentative) will perform, culminating in a free public clinic at 4:00 PM, led by Owens and Generation Y.
The clinic, titled “Communication on the Bandstand,” explores how ensemble members communicate musically—through signals, listening, and responsiveness. Owens is known for drawing young players into active participation, and past clinics have seen audience members take the stage.
Ulysses Owens Jr.: A Force in Jazz Education and Innovation
Ulysses Owens Jr. is a leading force in jazz today—drummer, composer, bandleader, educator, and community advocate. He is the Small Ensemble Director at Juilliard and Artistic Director of the Florida-based nonprofit Don’t Miss a Beat, which empowers youth through music and civic engagement.
With eight albums as a leader and performances on numerous Grammy-winning recordings—including with Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, and the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra—Owens blends deep technical skill with a commitment to evolving the jazz tradition. His most recent album, “A New Beat,” features the Generation Y Band and topped the JazzWeek charts for eight weeks in 2024.
Owens was named Jazz Drummer of the Year (2024) by both Modern Drummer and Drumeo, and was recently inducted into the Jacksonville Music Hall of Fame. A prolific author and educator, he’s published three books on jazz drumming and career development and regularly teaches masterclasses around the world.
Meet Generation Y: Rising Stars of Jazz
Owens’ Generation Y Band is a modern answer to Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers—a platform to elevate young, highly skilled artists. This year’s lineup includes:
🎺 Anthony Hervey (Trumpet) – Called “a beautiful trumpet player of the first magnitude” by Wynton Marsalis, Hervey has performed with the Mingus Big Band, Christian McBride, and Jon Batiste.
🎷 Langston Hughes II (Saxophones & Flute) – Hughes has toured with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and performed with Rufus Reid, Jazzmeia Horn, and Orrin Evans.
🎹 Liya Grigoryan (Piano) – A finalist in the International Thelonious Monk Competition, she’s toured with Dick Oats, Gary Smulyan, and others.
🎸 Guillermo Lopez (Bass) – Winner of the 2025 Scott LaFaro Prize from the International Society of Bassists. He’s played with Willie Jones III, Ed Soph, and more.
Their recent viral video covering Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” has received over 8 million views, showcasing their range and appeal beyond traditional jazz audiences.
A Legacy of Emerging Talent at VJC
Since its inception, the EAF has featured now-renowned artists like Samara Joy, Lakecia Benjamin, Dan Wilson, and Ekep Nkwelle. Even before becoming a full-fledged festival, the VJC committed to spotlighting young artists in its monthly concert series. This tradition is made possible through community support and sponsorship in memory of Jonathan Flaccus, a passionate arts advocate.
This year’s festival is also sponsored by Marcy Hermansader, with media support from The Commons, Brattleboro Reformer, and Vermont Arts Council.
🎟 Festival Schedule & Tickets
Friday, November 7 – Student Showcases @ 118 Elliot (Gallery Walk)
Saturday, November 8 – Student Ensembles + Free Clinic @ Vermont Jazz Center
Saturday, November 8, 7:30 PM – Concert: Ulysses Owens Jr. & Generation Y at VJC
🎟 Tickets: Sliding scale starting at $25 at vtjazz.org
